Every year someone inevitably refers to a running back recruit as "the next Ricky Williams", "the next Eric Dickerson" or "the next Emmitt Smith" but the comparison bears little resemblance to reality. Once in a while, however, a comparison is made that ends up being apt and this year it may be the comparison of pre-evaluation Rivals100 member Noel Devine with the running style of Barry Sanders.

Devine's lethal combination of speed and quickness enabled him to rush for 1,668 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore and to follow it up with 1,986 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior. His playmaking ability has drawn the attention of most of the top football programs in Division I and he has too many offers to count at this point. Some schools have separated themselves from the pack at this stage in the recruiting cycle.